Madwoman
‘Treger provides a moving story, particularly powerful in its depiction of Bly’s desperate efforts to retain her sanity in the midst of institutional madness.’
—Sunday Times, a historical fiction book of 2022
‘Treger’s vivid descriptions of Nellie’s time in the asylum and her portrait of a truly extraordinary woman make for a compelling read.’
—Heat Magazine, Critic’s Choice
‘Madwoman is one of the best, a magnificent portrayal of Nellie Bly in all her journalistic integrity and daring.’
—New York Journal of Books
‘Louisa Treger is carving out a place for herself as one of the leading writers of biographical fiction.’ —Sunday Times, South Africa
‘Treger paints a dynamic portrait of a pioneering journalist whose work sparked real change.’
—Mail on Sunday
‘Vivid and written with compassion, Treger illumines Bly’s risky reporting that led to radical reform.’ —Toronto Star
‘A propulsive, compelling novel about the lengths one woman will go to to expose the truth about how those most in need of help are kept in danger.’
—Bookriot
‘Louisa Treger’s impressive Madwoman describes the extraordinary bravery of 19th-century journalist Nellie Bly, who wrote a blistering exposé of the insane asylum on Blackwell’s Island, “a human rat trap” in which she intentionally got herself incarcerated. Her ordeal makes for a dramatic story.
—Independent
‘Treger’s vivid prose is magnetic. She immerses herself in Nellie’s persona and gets right under the skin of this extraordinary woman.’ —Cape Argus
‘This story of a pioneer woman is superbly and engrossingly presented.’ —Mystery and Suspense
‘One of the summer’s most hotly anticipated novels… The book’s themes of attitudes to mental health, and women having to fight for professional success are strikingly relevant today. It’s also a seriously good read.’
—Waitrose Weekend
‘Madwoman is a not only a joy to read, but it is a voyage into a time in history when a woman shows us what is possible when we’re determined to change the world we live in.’ —Daily Maverick, South Africa
The Dragon Lady
“Intriguing.”
– Sunday Times
“Fascinating… a spirited account of a flamboyant life.”
– The Times
“The Dragon Lady powerfully captures the colonial era in Zimbabwe … Lovers of historical fiction won’t be disappointed.”
– New York Journal of Books
“Will keep readers spellbound.”
– Washington Independent Review of Books
“Louisa Treger’s brilliant second novel is a daring blend of romance, crime and history, and an intelligent exposé of the inherent injustice and consequences of all forms of oppression.”
– Tsitsi Dangarembga, author of Nervous Conditions
“Treger has captured the last days of colonial Rhodesia perfectly. It is not just Lady Courtauld’s story, but also the people fighting for the country’s future. And while the book may only focus on a small piece of Zimbabwe’s long complicated history, it does so with emotion and fire.”
– Sally Patridge, author of Mine
“If you like your books to immerse you in a different time and place, you’ll love this.”
– Beth Miller, author of The Good Neighbour
“A remarkable story about the bravery and compassion of a little-known couple at a pivotal time in the history of Zimbabwe. Treger switches elegantly between narrators, time and place, and wears her meticulous research lightly in this fascinating novel.”
– Annabel Abbs, author of Frieda: A Novel of the Real Lady Chatterley
“An evocative, beautifully written story with a mystery at its heart. Clever and compelling I couldn’t wait to find out who shot The Dragon Lady, but at the same time I was so immersed that I didn’t want it to end. Highly recommended.”
– Claire Douglas, author of Do Not Disturb
“The prose is lyrical, vivid and compelling, whether describing the settings, the characters, or the suspenseful intrigue of the story’s plot. It comes as no surprise to learn of Treger’s deep love for Africa, which, in her own words, is flowing through her blood and marrow.”
– Essie Fox, author of The Last Days of Leda Grey
“The perfect blend of fact and fiction and a brilliant evocation of a fascinating time and place, told with haunting clarity. A remarkable achievement.”
– Rebecca Mascull, author of The Wild Air
The Lodger
“Treger’s writing flows easily and the book is impeccably researched, making this an enjoyable read. Dorothy Richardson may not be a household name, but Treger’s novel does a fine job of showing just how compelling her life was in this novel full of passion, history and literature.”
– Kirkus Reviews
“An intriguing blend of fact and fiction … deftly examining moods ranging from exhilaration to sexual longing to despair to shame.”
– Publishers Weekly
“Louisa Treger’s carefully researched first novel spotlights a neglected pioneer of 20th-century literature: Dorothy Richardson …Treger deftly connects Dorothy’s personal vision with the war against fiction-as-usual conducted by all modernists … It’s an impressive feat to make the act of writing as exciting as a love affair.”
– The Washington Post
“A debut that shows a keen understanding of its protagonist and some significant promise”
– The Independent
“Louisa Treger has brought Dorothy to life in her compelling portrayal of a complex woman living by her own rules”
– The Lady
“Treger has a clear knack for capturing the vivacity of her characters and searing their unique personalities to the page … beautiful, simplistic prose and rich emotionality … a new writer of poise, intelligence, and feeling.”
– Literary Inklings
“Through Treger’s sensitive, poetic writing, The Lodger offers a wonderful study in character growth … a rich portrait of the times and of an unconventional woman’s interior life.”
– Historical Novel Society
“This is a sparkling debut full of passion and verve. Louisa Treger has written an enthralling historical novel about unconventional love, unrecognised genius, and the courage to turn heartbreak into art.”
– Historian and broadcaster Amanda Foreman
“A captivating and tender journey through the sexual explorations, loves and betrayals of Bloomsbury’s Dorothy Richardson.”
– Frances Osborne
“A gripping debut about creativity, forbidden passions and what happens when you break the rules. Dorothy Richardson is a heroine for our time.”
– Daisy Goodwin
“The Lodger is an evocative, beautifully written first novel. Set against the backdrop of the early 20th century, Louisa Treger conjures up her characters and the turbulence of an era when women were fighting for emancipation with conviction. Dorothy Richardson’s journey to finding her own literary feet through her illicit relationship with the novelist, HG Wells, is moving and revealing. A very accomplished debut novel.”
– Lucinda Riley
“Louisa Treger has taken us into the heart of Dorothy Richardson’s life choices through a vividly imagined novel, more compelling than any biography.”
– Michael Sherborne, author of HG Wells: Another Kind of Life